Innocent Bystander

1. Innocent Bystander

2. Forever In Your Arms

3. Just Let It Go

4. Precious Gift

5. Night Mood

6. Never Go

7. Player Interlude

8. Intimate Conversation

9. J.C.'s Groove

10. Mo' Interlude

11. Burnin Out

12. Thank You

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist
He is as charismatic as his music is captivating. Critics have aptly named him a composer, educator, musician and performing artist. His name, Melvin Maurice Miller, is synonymous with the words: Masterful, Multifarious, Magnetic. Born and raised in one of the largest cities historically known for great jazz and jazz greats, Chicago, Illinois - it's no small wonder that music would become his life's passion.

Melvin began playing the trumpet at the age of eight. Aside from being in the traditional school bands, he participated in the Chicago All-City High School Jazz and Concert Bands, taking the position of principal trumpet in both groups. Melvin's dedication paid off by earning him a scholarship in music. He decided to continue his studies at Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education.

The list of his influences is as far reaching and wide spread as the art form many call African-American Classical Music. But when asked who was the single most significant influence in his musical career Melvin identifies his father, for whom he is named. That influence has been the impetus of which Melvin has become a world-renowned musician playing a trumpet that boasts a sound that is soulful, rebellious and poetic all at once. The sound of his horn and the style with which he performs comes from a variety of influences. He has learned from listening to many of the great masters. His sound: Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Lee Morgan, Doc Severinsen, Freddie Hubbard, Wynton Marsalis. His phrasing: the vocals of Sarah Vaughn , Nancy Wilson and Ella Fitzgerald to name a few.

Just as music has no boundaries, Melvin's talent has made him a world renowned musician. He has performed in Orlando, Florida for the opening of Epcot Center; Tokyo, Japan for the Mirage Bowl; clubs in Osaka, Japan; Switzerland for the Montreaux Jazz Festival; Negril, Jamaica; other cities in Europe, and the United States. He has traveled and/or performed with artists such as the Temptations, The Dells, The O'jays, James Brown, Wynton Marsalis, Dizzy Gillespie, Roy Hargrove, Miles Davis, Dr. Clark Terry and Pamela Anderson of "Incognito". Melvin has opened for Bob James, Alex Bugnon, Norman Brown and Bobby Lyle. He has recorded with the Tennessee State University Jazz Ensemble, Atlanta artist Carol Albert, rapper Malik, The Florida Mass Choir, blues singer Sandra Hall, and Speech of Arrested Development. He also performs in the Curtis Mayfield/Repercussion music video of "Let's Do It Again."

Choosing Atlanta, Georgia as his place of residence was like choosing another road leading to success. Melvin is a full time middle school music educator/band director by day and full time professional musician by night. He is a well-rounded musician, with the training to perform both classical and jazz. Melvin held the position of principal trumpet with the African American Philharmonic Orchestra of Atlanta. However, Melvin's preference is Adult Contemporary Jazz, and if you heard him play you would know the emphasis is well placed. His primary stomping grounds have been the Cafe 290, Just Jazz, The Penta Hotel, The A-Train, Topaz, Teddy's Live,The Crow's Nest, Centennial Olympic Park, Vegas Nights and A Point of View at the top of The Hilton Hotel. Melvin and his band 'Bout Tyme have been featured on the cable television show Beyond The Barriers. His composition, Precious Gift, is regularly played on 104.1 WJZF's Jazz Cafe.Melvin is the Musical Consultant/Director for the Ms. Fulton County Scholarship Pageant and performs with his band at various venues. In 1997 he released A Christmas Gift.

Friends and fans celebrate him as a man of unimaginable creativity. He is affectionately called "young man with a horn," a title bestowed on him by his mother. Melvin and his music are: Complex. Genuine. Progressive.

Band members: Melvin M. Miller- Trumpet/Flugelhorn-Phil Davis- Andrew Lane Keys & programing, Sam SimsTony Cunningham - Jon Roberts Bass, Derek Scott -Calvin Loteman Guitar, Marcus Williams, Lil John Roberts Drums, Dean James - Soprano Sax, Tiffany Davis- Traci Hale- Andrea RheneVocals

Product Description
Innocent Bystander is a collection of contemporary, smooth jazz pieces. It combines elements of funk with smooth jazz. The title track is a funky muted trumpet feature for Melvin ala Miles Davis. The other compositions are a mixture of smooth jazz and funk with a lot of soul . The project was produced by Phil Davis, who wrote the title track "Body Language" for Boney James, Andrew Lane with Melvin M. Miller as executive producer.

Innocent Bystander,Melvin M. Miller

Jazz

Music

jazz

Tracks:

Mechanized Madness
U 2 Turn Me On
Shock Me Back To Life
Sing A Simple Song
Leap Of Faith
Capt. Lee's Scotch
The Sorcerer
Evidence
Coup Du Monde
In Defense Of Chaos
Dominant Gene

Album Description

Funky Electronica

Average customer rating:

Well Done Freehold Boys
Another Jersey shore sensation...almost!!!

Not So Innocent
Bystander
Manufacturer: Long Island
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B00000AYIM

Tracks:

Welcome To The Real World
Running In Circles
Prelude
Desiree
Love Games
Let Me In
I Can't Stop
Out Of The Night
Someway Somehow
You're History
Mammo Lao
Real World (Dance Mix0
What Do All The People Know
All The Time In The World

Album Details

Limited gold edition.

Customer Reviews:

Well Done Freehold Boys.......2002-09-30

Overall a great CD. Many years ago a bunch of us spent a lot of time on the NJ Turnpike going to see these guys. We'd like to see them again. The band had a great sense of humor. The guitar player, Stanley Steele had a great stage presence and the drummer, Bucky was a lot of fun. The CD is good classic '80s rock. "Desiree" is a great classic rock song and "Someway Somehow" is a more mature ballad. "Momma Lao" is a nice song to sway to. The remake of "What do all the people know" is weaker than their live rendition was. I recommend you give it a listen and try to track down these jersey boys for a live show!

Another Jersey shore sensation...almost!!!.......2000-03-29

A very interesting CD! Pure pop rock! Trust me, I was there through all the hype in the mid 80's here at the Jersey shore. The highlights on this CD are "Welcome to the Real World" and "Desiree." Two rockers about love gone bad. Both with excellant vocals and guitar work by Stanley Steel. The political "Mamma Lao" introduces a technical aspect to the CD, as well as a full choir (many of which were my friends!)singing with drummer Bucky Naughton. "Let Me In" and "Out of the Night" both feature haunting choruses by Andy Keily, backed up local singers Britt Savage and Shelly Thompson. "Someway, Somehow", a sad but charming song about, you guessed it, love gone bad, is a much more mature song than any other on the CD. I wish this band had stayed together because they had a lot of potential! It's worth a look...

Average customer rating:

Excellent album
Innocent Bystander is a MUST HAVE for your collection!
Great Record!
Wonderfull and Relaxing

Innocent Bystander

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00004U8FU
Release Date: 2000-06-22

Tracks:

Innocent Bystander
Forever In Your Arms
Just Let It Go
Precious Gift
Night Mood
Never Go
Player Interlude
Intimate Conversation
J.C.'s Groove
Mo' Interlude
Burnin Out
Thank You

Album Description

Innocent Bystander is a collection of contemporary, smooth jazz pieces. It combines elements of funk with smooth jazz. The title track is a funky muted trumpet feature for Melvin ala Miles Davis. The other compositions are a mixture of smooth jazz and funk with a lot of soul . The project was produced by Phil Davis, who wrote the title track "Body Language" for Boney James, Andrew Lane with Melvin M. Miller as executive producer.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent album.......2000-08-16

This album is wonderful! The mixture of upbeat and smooth jazz rhythms makes it remarkable! This album has something for everyone on it, young and old!

Innocent Bystander is a MUST HAVE for your collection!.......2000-07-27

Innocent Bystander is an outstanding debut CD. It has a great variety of funk, jazz, and cool vocals and is a lot of fun to listen to. There is a nice mix of up-tempo tracks, ballads, and even a funny interlude ("Mo' Interlude") that is sure to make you laugh. I'm already finding myself whistling or humming along with the tracks. The title track "Innocent Bystander" is a great lead off. The up-beat tempo really gets my head shakin'. Another favorite of mine is "Never Go". The vocalist has a beautiful soothing voice to help me unwind from a long day. "JC's Groove" is very funky. "Intimate Conversation" and "Forever In Your Arms" are very nice ballads. And the live track "Burnin' Out" shows that Melvin is serious about his music. You don't find too many artists who will put live tracks on their debut album. On this album, Melvin has used a combination of trumpet sounds (muted, waa-waa, and flugelhorn) to create a diverse sound that everyone can enjoy.

All in all, you will find yourself keeping this one in the CD changer! Every track on it is good and you will be hard pressed to pick a favorite. Buy it and enjoy it!!

Great Record!.......2000-07-17

I had the pleasure and the honor of working on this record with Melvin. It was halfway finished when he brought it to me. I can say that we had alot of fun and put in many hours completing this project. I can say now that this was the best project that I have ever had my hands in! Really! So, I wish Melvin much success and when he does, so do I! :-)

Wonderfull and Relaxing.......2000-07-07

This CD is a wonderfully relaxing CD. It is has been a long time since I heard a CD that every song on it is EXCELLENT.

I'm telling everyone that I know to got out and purchase it.... I encourage anyone that has not yet purchase this CD to get it and I can guarntee that they will enjoy every songs and find it hard to pick just one favorite song.

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